評論
打印
Sir, I said coolly, "I need to speak with you on a matter that simply can't wait."
“先生，”我冷靜地說，“我想和您談一件不能再拖延下去的事情。”
Whatever could that be, sir? he replied sarcastically. "Have you made some discovery that has escaped me? Has the sea yielded up some novel secret to you?"
“什么事，先生？”他嘲弄地回答說，“您難道有了某個我還沒察覺到的發(fā)現(xiàn)嗎？大海向您展示了它的新秘密嗎？”
We were miles apart. But before I could reply, he showed me a manuscript open on the table and told me in a more serious tone: "Here, Professor Aronnax, is a manuscript written in several languages. It contains a summary of my research under the sea, and God willing, it won't perish with me. Signed with my name, complete with my life story, this manuscript will be enclosed in a small, unsinkable contrivance. The last surviving man on the Nautilus will throw this contrivance into the sea, and it will go wherever the waves carry it."
我們倆的想法牛頭不對馬嘴。但在我回答之前，他指了指攤開在桌上的手稿，口氣較為嚴肅地對我說：“瞧，阿龍納斯教授，這是一部用好幾國語言書寫的手稿。它包容了我對海洋的研究總結(jié)，如果上帝允許的話，這本手稿大概不會隨同我一起消失。 這本手稿署上了我的名字，加上了我一生的經(jīng)歷，它將被裝在一個不透水的小盒子里。我們‘鸚鵡螺號’船上的最后一個生存者將把這個盒子投入海中， 讓它隨波逐流而去。”
The man's name! His life story written by himself! So the secret of his existence might someday be unveiled? But just then I saw this announcement only as a lead-in to my topic.
以這個人的名義！他自己撰寫自己的一生經(jīng)歷！那么他神秘的一生總有一天會被揭示了？但這時，我只把他這番話當作個開場白。
Captain, I replied, "I'm all praise for this idea you're putting into effect. The fruits of your research must not be lost. But the methods you're using strike me as primitive. Who knows where the winds will take that contrivance, into whose hands it may fall? Can't you find something better? Can't you or one of your men...
“船長，”我回答說，“我只能贊成您想這么做的想法。因為不應(yīng)該讓您的研究成果毀于一旦。但您使用的方法我覺得原始了些。誰知道風會把這個小盒子吹到哪里去呢？小盒子又會落入誰的手里呢？難道您不能找出一個更好的辦法嗎？您或者你們中的一位就不能……”
Never, sir, the captain said, swiftly interrupting me.
“絕對不行，先生，”船長急切地打斷了我的話。
